Bright Sulfamate Nickel

Posted on:2/1/2001

Question:
The nickel deposit we are obtaining from our nickel sulfamate plating bath is noticeably brighter than the results of six months ago.

Question:

The nickel deposit we are obtaining from our nickel sulfamate plating bath is noticeably brighter than the results of six months ago. We did not add any brighteners to the bath. What is going on? S.B.

Answer:

You are forming brightening agents in the sulfamate nickel solution. The sulfamate in the plating bath is gradually being oxidized to azodisulfonate. This usually occurs when you have polarized or inert anodes.

The best way to handle the problem is to peroxide and carbon treat the bath.